Can carriers



June 6, 1961 w. A. RINGLER 2,987,176

CAN CARRIERS Filed March 4, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Mil/AM ,4. R/NGLER I A TTORNE June 6, 1961 w. A. RINGLER CAN CARRIERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 4, 1954 INVENTOR. MAM/4M A. finvaz ER BY Maw ATTORNEY June 6, 1961 w. A. RINGLER 2,987,176

CAN CARRIERS Filed March 4, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. VV/LL /AM A. RINGLER WJW A TTORNEY June 6, 1961 w. A. RINGLER CAN CARRIERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 4, 1954 .m m mm VR A M M 3 M W MJM ATTORNEY 2,987,176 CAN CARRIERS William A. Ringler, Wayne, Pa., assignor, by mesne assiguments, to Diamond National Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 4, 1954, Ser. No. 413,989 9 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) This invention relates to can carriers and more particularly to an improved can carrier formed from a onepiece blank which can be quickly assembled into collapsed shell form to occupy minimum space during shipment and storage, and which can thereafter be speedily erected, filled with a group of cans and sealed without the application of further securing means to positively retain the cans therein.

While can carriers formed from paperboard or fiberboard are presently being extensively used for the packaging of canned beverages, canned foods and other canned products for consumer delivery, can carriers as presently made and used have various drawbacks. For example, one form of can carrier extensively used completely encloses the can group within the wrapper blank so that no part of the contained cans are visible for advertising display or inspection, also requires a substantial area of stock sheet material to form the carrier blank, and additionally requires complicated gluing and folding operations to enclose the cans within the carrier. Some forms of can carriers presently used provide finger insertion holes in one of the panels thereof by which it may be carried, but such finger insertion holes are usually uncomfortable to the fingers and the stock sheet material surrounding the finger insertion holes often becomes torn in handling so that they are no longer usable for carrying purposes. Other can carriers presently made and used have open ends with inturned flaps which are intended to engage the can rims to retain the end cans in the carrier, but such flaps often fail to perform their intended function of retaining the end cans within the carrier. Another form of can carrier presently used provides spaced slots at the upper and lower ends of the side panels which are intended to receive a portion of the can rims to thereby retain the cans within the carrier, but such slots serve to weaken the carrier and often become torn so that they fail to perform their intended can retaining function.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved can display and carrying package in which substantial parts of the packaged cans are visually and attractively displayed, which requires substantially less stock sheet material to form the can group enclosing carton than heretofore required, and which is provided with sturdy and double-ply straps at both transverse sides of the can group which transversely embrace the cylindrical wall of the end cans and securely lock the cans within the carton and additionally provide strong handles by means of which the packaged carton may be conveniently and comfortably carried.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved can carrier which overcomes the deficiencies of can carriers presently made and used, which requires substantially less stock sheet material in the formation of the carrier blank, which blank can be assembled into the form of a collapsed shell for convenient shipment and storage in a single high speed assembly operation, which collapsed shells may be quickly erected to provide a tubular body into which the can group can be speedily inserted and thereafter closed by infolding paired straps transversely over the cylindrical walls of the end cans to lock the cans within the carrier.

Ano h r Ob of h s n i n. is, o pr ide n Sttes atit proved can carrier shell which can be economically made and assembled from a one-piece blank in a single pass through a high speed gluing and folding machine, which can be shipped and stored in collapsed form in minimum space, which thereafter can be quickly erected and filled with can contents and which can then be closed and sealed without the application of any securing means other than that provided on the collapsed shell.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved can carrier blank which may be made of paperboard or fiberboard material adapted to be scored and cut from paperboard or fiberboard stock sheets in a single pass of the stock sheet through a cutting and scoring machine, and which will require substantially less stock sheet area to form the blank than required by can carrier blanks as heretofore shaped and formed.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the cut and scored blank from which the can carrier is formed;

FIG. 2 illustrates the manner in which the can carrier forming blanks may be cut from the stock sheet in innerfitted relationship using limited stock sheet area and resulting in relatively little waste of stock sheet material;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the blank as it would appear after one of the end panels and its associated securing flap has been folded over the adjacent side panel of the blank and after adhesive has been applied to the overfolded securing flap;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the blank after completion of the second folding operation wherein the opposite side panel has been folded to overlie the inside face of the adjacent end panel and the free edge thereof pressed into adhesive securement with the securing flap, this view also showing the patches of heat-sealing adhesive as applied to the extended end straps of the folded blank to thereby complete the formation of the collapsed carrier shell;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the collapsed shell as shown in FIG. 4, showing in dot and dash lines the tubular body of the shell in process of erection for insertion of the cans therein;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the expanded carrier shell as the same would appear after six cans have been inserted in the erected tubular body thereof, the end straps being shown in extended position as they would appear immediately following the can insertion operation;

FIG. 7 is another top plan view of the can carrier at a more advanced stage of assembly and wherein one pair of wing sections and associated end straps have been folded to overlie the adjacent pair of end cans with the heat sealing adhesive appearing on the outer faces of the end straps;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the can carrier as it would appear after the other pair of wing sections and associated end straps have been folded over the adjacent end cans and heat sealed to the previously infolded end straps complete the can package; 7

FIG. 9 is a side view of the completed can package showing the companion end straps heat sealed together to enclose the adjacent end cans against removal, with portions of the end cans attractively exposed;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the completed can package showing the manner in which the same may be ifted nd t a por e by asp ng, he compan on end straps which provide handle straps at each transverse side of the can carrier.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a carrier blank designed for the. packaging of three cans arranged in a single columar row, this view also showing the manner in which the adjacent blanks may be patterned on the stock sheet with minimum waste of sheet material;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the blank shown in FIG. 11 as it would appear after completion of the first folding and gluing operation and wherein one of the end panels and its associated securing fiaphas been folded tooverlie. the inside face of the adjacent side panel, this view showing adhesive applied to the overfolded securi p;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the blank after completion of the second and final folding operation and wherein the other side panel has been folded over the adjacent end panel with its free edge pressed into secured relation with the previously over-folded securing flap, this view also showing the patches of heat sealing adhesive as applied to the extended end straps to complete the formation of the carrier shell in collapsed form;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the carrier shell shown in FIG. 13 as it would appear after erection;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the expanded carrier shell as it would appear after the three cans for which it is designed have been inserted therein;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the can carrier at a more advanced stage of assembly and wherein one pair of end wing sections and associated end straps have been folded to overlie a circumferential section of the adjacent can body with the heat sealing adhesive appearing on the outer faces of the infolded end straps;

FIG. 17 is a top view of the can carrier as it would appear after the other pair of wing sections and associated end straps have been folded around a circumferential section of the can body and heat sealed to the previously infolded end straps to complete the can package; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the completed can package designed to contain a columar roll of three cans.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings and specifications.

Can packaging blanks made in accordance with this invention may be cut from paperboard or fiberboard stock sheets of requisite strength and thickness with comparatively little waste of stock sheet material when the blank patterns are interfitted as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11. The stock sheet is first finished and imprinted on one side thereof and the stock sheets may then be cut and scored in a single pass through a cutting and scoring machine to provide the blanks as shown in FIGS. 1

and 2.

Can carrier blanks made in accordance with this invention are designed to contain and embrace a group of similar flat ended and cylindrical bodied cans compactly arranged in one or two columnar rows so that the can group presents substantially fiat top and bottom ends, longitudinally and transversely extending sides, and rounded corners. As cut and scored, each blank as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 comprises a pair of side panels 1-1' designed to extend along the longitudinal sides of the can bodies, a pair of top and bottom end panels 2-2 designed to extend across the top and bot tom ends of the can group and a securing flap 3 designed to provide a tubular body which contains the can group. The blank may be so proportioned as to contain a group of three cans in a single columnar row as shown in FIG. 18, or a group of six cans in two columnar rows of three cans in each row as shown in FIG. 10, or a group of eight cans in two columnar rows of four cans in each row, or a group of ten cans intwo columnar rows of five cans in each row, or as many as twelve cans in three columnar rows with four cans in each row. Since can packages containing six cans or three cans are the most commonly used, the blank shown in FIG. 1 for purposes of illustration has been proportioned to provide a can package for six cans as shown in FIG. 10, and the blank shown in FIG. 11 has been proportioned for purposes of illustration to provide a can package for three cans as shown in FIG. 18;

The blanks as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 each have the side panel 1 thereof foldably connected to the end panel 2 by a longitudinally extended score -11, its-end panel 2 foldably connected to the side panel 1 by a longitudinally extended score 12, its side panel 1' foldato the transverse ends of the side panel 1 by a pair of substantially parallel transverse scores 15-15 and a pair of similar wing sections 6-6 foldably connected to the transverse ends of the side panel 1 by a pair of substarn tially parallel transverse scores 16-16, the transverse scores 16-16 being substantially in alignment with the transverse scores 15-15. A pair of end straps '7-7 extend longitudinally from the transverse ends of the wing sections 5-5 and a pair of similar end straps 8-8 extend longitudinally from the transverse ends of the wing sections 6-6. The base of the wing sections 5-5' are joined to the transverse ends of the side panel '1 by the scores 15-15 for substantially the full width of the sine panel 1 as defined between the score 11 and the free edge ll'thereof, and the base ends of the wing sections 6-6 are similarly joined by the transverse scores 16-16 to the side panel 1 for substantially the full width thereof as defined between the longitudinal scores 12-12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11. The wing sections 5-5' and 6-6 also present similar tapered side edges 9 which merge into similar transverse edges 9 extending substantially parallel to the adjacent hinging scores 15-15 and 16-16 so that the handle straps 7-7 and 8-8 are of substantially uniform width.

The width of the side panels 1 and 1 as defined by the longitudinal scores is substantially equal to the heightb of the cans to be packaged within the carrier forming blank, as is evident by referring to FIGS. 9, 10 and 18. However, the distance between the transverse scores 15-15 whichdefine the length of the side panel 1, and the distance between the transverse scores 16-16 which define the length of the side panel 1, is less than the length of the columnar row of cans to be packaged there in, so that the transverse scores 15-15 and 16-16 will substantially coincide or extend only slightly beyond the mid-section of the pacakaged end cans as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 inclusive, and FIGS. 15 to 18 inclusive. As thus formed, the wing sections 5-5 and 6-6 may be bent into curvature conformity with the adjacent end cans of the package so that each wing section will. transversely enwrap the tubular body of the adjacent can for an arcuate distance of 30 to of the can circumference. The end panels 2-2 are designed to extend over the top and bottom ends of the can group but only partly cover the end cans as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 inclusive, and FIGS. 15 to 18 inclusive, so that a substantial end area of the end cans are attractively and visibly displayed. In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 18 inclusive, the terminal ends 11 of the end panels 2-2 are straight and extend substantially diametrically across the end cans. In the form'of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 inclusive, the end panel sections 2-2 present parallel end edge portions 10 which merge into tapered end edge portions 10, with the tapered and edge portions terminating at the terminal ends of adjacent longitudinal score. When the top panels 2-2 are thus shaped, substantial interfitting of the blanks as cut from the stock sheet can be effected as shown in FIG. 2, and the interfit can be further enhanced by providing the handle forming straps 7-7 and 8-8 with partly biasedcut end edges 10 shaped to snugly interfit with the adjacent edge portions 9 and 9 of the adjacent end panel 2-2 of an adjacent similar reversely positioned blank as shown in FIG. 2. Since the end straps 7-7' and 8-8 of the blank shown in FIG. 11 are designated to extend over single end cans only, they then may be made relatively short, so that the blank patterns will substantially interfit when the end straps present square cut ends.

It will be appreciated that the width of the end panels 2-2 as defined between the longitudinal scores 11-12 and 12-13 is proportioned in accordance with the diameter of the cans to be packaged and the number of columnar can rows to be packaged in the blank. Thus, where only a single columnar row of cans is to be packaged, as shown in FIG. 18, the width of the end panels 2-2 would closely conform to the diameter of similar cans in the row, and where two columnar rows of cans are to be packaged as shown in FIG. 10, the width of the end panels 2-2 would closely conform to twice the diameter of the cans to be packaged. Likewise, the longitudinal length of the side panels 1-1 as defined by the parallel transverse scores -15 and 16-16 would be approximately equal to the accumulative diameters of the cans in the row, less approximately the diameter of one can. The width of the end straps 7-7 and 8-8 are preferably approximately the same and may have a width which is approximately equal to one half to one third of the heighth of the cans to be packaged as indicated in FIGS. 10 and 18, but have a sufiicient length to permit substantial overlapping of the companion end straps.

In preparing the cut and scored blank formed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 for the reception of the can groups comprising a predetermined number of cans which the blanks have been proportioned to receive, the securing flap 3 of each blank is adhesively secured to the free edge 11 of the side panel 1 to provide a tubular body of initially collapsed form. This operation can be performed on a high speed gluing and folding machine by first folding the end panel 2' along the longitudinal score 12 to overlie the inside face of the adjacent side panel 1, with the securing flap 3 overlying the intermediate end panel 2 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, applying a strip of adhesive a to the outside face of the overfolded securing flap 3 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, thence folding the side panel 1 along the longitudinal score 11 to overlie the intermediate end panel 2 and the glued securing flap 3, and then pressing the free edge 11 of the side panel 1 into secured relation to the securing flap 3 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 13. As the folded blank continues its travel through the gluing and folding machine, glue applicators associated with the machine operate to apply plastic or heat sealing adhesive in the form of patches 12 to the inside face of the paired end straps 3-8 and adhesive patches b to the outside face of the end straps 7-7 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 12. The entire gluing and folding operation, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 and FIGS. 12 and 13, can be performed continuously at high speed on a right angle gluing and folding machine and the collapsed shells as thus formed may be shipped and stored for subsequent formation into can carrier packages. The thermoplastic or heat sealing adhesive patches b and b quickly dries and thereafter become sticky and adherent only when two adjacent glued areas are heated and pressed together. Consequently, the carrier shells formed as shown in FIGS. 4 and 13 may be superimposed one on the other during shipment and storage without adhering to one another.

The can packaging operation may be performed at 6 high speed by machine methods. collapsed carrier shell as shown in FIGS. 4 and 12 is erected so that the connected side panels 1-1 and end panels 2-2 form a tubular body of rectangular form, withthe handle forming straps 7-8 and 7-8' extending from the ends thereof. The cans c may then be inserted through either one or both ends of the expanded body so that the intermediate cans in the can row or can rows are fully seated between the end panels 2 and 2, and with the end cans only partly seated therebetween as shown in FIGS. 6 and 15. The end cans c are then retained within the tubular body by infolding the wing sections 5-5 and 6-6 and the associated handle forming straps 7-7 and 8-8 as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 16 and 17. This can be quickly accomplished during the continuous advance of the can containing tubular shell by instrumentalities which operate to swing the wing sections 5-5 inwardly into closely hugged relation around the body of the adjacent end can as shown in FIGS. 7 and 16, whereby the associated end straps 7-7 will extend in substantially parallel relation, with the thermoplastic adhesive b appearing on the outside faces thereof. During continued progressive advance of the can package, the wing section 6-6 hinged to the side panel 1 are folded rearwardly into snug overlying relation to the tubular bodies of the adjacent end cans c so as to place the associated handle straps 8-8, carrying the thermoplastic heat adhesive b on the inside face thereof, in overlying relation to the thermoplastic coating on the previously inturned adjacent handle straps 7-7'. Heating means such as heating irons are then wiped over the outside face of the inturned handle straps 8-8 so as to soften the intermediate layers bb of the thermoplastic adhesive. As soon as the heat application has been removed, the contacting thermoplastic layers of adhesive b-b' quickly solidifies, thereby permanently bonding the companion end straps 7-8 and companion end straps 7S tenaciously together.

As thus formed, the cans are immovably locked within the can carrier since the companion wing sections 5-6 and 5-6 as tied together by the associated end straps 7-8 and 7-8, are held in fixed embracing relation to the adjacent end cans for substantially the full height of the cans. The end cans are supported by and further held against removal by the end panels 2-2 which partly overlie the ends of the packaged end cans. As thus locked, none of the cans can be shaken loose or removed from the can package without lacerating and breaking the carrier blank which enwraps the can group.

Where only a single row of cans is packaged, the can carrier can be conveniently grasped and carried without the provision of handles. However, where two or more rows of cans are packaged, the tenaciously bonded companion handle straps 7-8 and 78 provide double-ply handles at both ends thereof by which the package may be comfortably carried.

Can carriers made in accordance with this invention can be formed from blanks which require substantial less stock sheet material than heretofore required. As a further advantage, all four sides as well as the top and bottom ends of the can group are enwrapped within the stock sheet blank so that the cans cannot be shaken loose or removed from the can package without lacerating or breaking the can wrapping blank. Nevertheless, sub stantial areas of the end cans are exposed to visual view so that a customer can visually see and inspect the packaged can contents. The blanks may be assembled into collapsed carrier shells in a single pass through a high speed scoring and cutting machine at low cost, with the end straps pre-glued to facilitate the high speed packaging of the can contents therein. In addition, where the can carrier is designed for the packaging of two or more columnar can rows and thus requires a carrying handle, the companion end straps provide convenient and comfortable carrying handles at both ends of the can carrier.

In the first step, the

While certain novel features of this invention have been disclosed herein and are pointed out in the claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes maybe made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A can display and carrying package comprising a group of similar, flat ended, cylindrical bodied cans com pactly arranged in at least one columnar row and enclosed within a carton formed from a one-piece wrapper blank of fibrous sheet material, said carton having a continuous tubular body formed by a continuous and unbroken strip section having the opposite ends thereof permanently sealed together and into which the cans are loaded in erect position through the initially open ends of the tubular body, said tubular body including a pair of side panels extending along the opposite longitudinal sides of the can group and having a height substantially equal to the height of the can group, said side panels extending centrally over the longitudinal sides of the can group and having a longitudinal length which is approximately equal to the length of the can group minus the diameter of a single can, inseparable top and bottom panels extending flatly over the flat top and bottom ends of the can group and having a maximum length approximately equal to the longitudinal length of said side panels whereby portions of the top and bottom ends of the end cans are displayed to view, said top and bottom panels being integrally hinged to the longitudinal top and bottom margins of the side panels for substantially the full length thereof and maintaining the side panels snugly adjacent the longitudinal sides of the can group, the end cans of the packaged can group being locked within said tubular carton body, after end insertion of the cans therein, by a pair of wing sections at each end of the carton body which extend integrally from the adjacent end margins of the side panels and each transversely embracing an outer cylindrical portion of the adjacent end can of the can group, each wing section presenting a strap ex- 7 tension extending integrally therefrom and transversely across the cylindrical mid-section of the adjacent end can of the can group whereby upper and lower cylindrical portions of the adjacent end can are displayed to view, the paired end extensions at both ends of the tubular carton body being adhesively bonded together in overlapped relationship across the mid-section of the end can of the can group to thereby lock the can group in the tubular carton body at both ends thereof.

2. A can display and carrying package comprising a group of similar, flat ended, cylindrical bodied cans compactly arranged in at least one columnar row and enclosed within a carton formed from a one-piece wrapper blank of fibrous sheet material, said carton having a continuous tubular body formed by a continuous and unbroken strip section having the opposite ends thereof permanently sealed together and into which the cans are loaded in erect position through the initially open ends of the tubular body, said tubular body including a pair of side panels extending along the opposite longitudinal sides of the can group and having a height substantially equal to the height of the can group, said side panels extending centrallyover the longitudinal sides of the can group and having a longitudinal length which is approximately equal to the length of the can group minus the diameter of a single can, inseprable top and bottom end panels extending flatly over the top and bottom ends of the can group and having a maximum length approximately equal to the longitudinal length of said side panels whereby portions of the top and bottom ends of the end cans are displayed to view, said top and bottom panels being hinged tothe longitudinal top and bottom margins of the side panels for substantially the full length thereof and maintaining the side panels snugly adjacent the longitudinal sides of the can group, the end cans of the packaged can group being locked within said tubular 8 I carton body, after end insertion of the cans therein, by a pair of wing sections at each end of the carton body which extend integrally from the adjacent end margins of the side panels and each transversely embracing an outer cy-" lindrical portion of the adjacent end can of the can group, each wing section presenting a strap extension of less height than the side panel which extends integrally from the wing section and transversely across the cylindrical mid-section of the adjacent end can of the can group, each of said wing sections presenting upper and lower margins which taper from the longitudinal top and bottom margins of the side panels to the upper and lower margins of the strap extension integral therewith, the adjacent strap extensions at both ends of the tubular carton body being adhesively bonded together in overlapped relationship across the mid-section of the end can of the can group to thereby lock the can group within the tubular carton body with the upper and lower cylindrical portions of the adjacent end cans exposed to view.

3. A can display and carrying package comprising a group of similar, flat ended, cylindrical bodied cans compactly arranged in two columnar rows which present a prismatic can group having substantially flat top and bottom ends, longitudinal and transverse sides and rounded vertical corners, and a carton snugly enclosing the can group and formed from a one-piece wrapper blank of fibrous sheet material, said carton having a continuous tubular body formed by a continuous and unbroken strip section having the opposite ends thereof permanently sealed together and into which the cans are loaded in erect position through the initially open ends of the tubular body, said tubular body including a pair of side panels extending along the opposite longitudinal sides of the can group and having a height substantially equal to the height of the can group, said side panels extending centrally over the longitudinal sides of the can group and having a longitudinal length which is approximately equal to the length of the can group minus the diameter of a single can, inseparable top and bottom panels extending flatly over the flat top and bottom ends of the can group and having the side margins thereof hinged to the longitudinal top and bottom margins of the side panels for substantially the full length thereof and maintaining the side panels snugly adjacent the longitudinal sides of the can group, each of said top and bottom panels having a portion intermediate the side margins thereof of less length than said side margins whereby a substantial portion of the top and bottom ends of the end cans are displayed to view, the end cans of the packaged can group being locked within said tubular carton body, after end insertion of the cans therein, by a pair of wing sections at each end of the carton body which extend integrally from the adjacent end margins of the side panels and each transversely embracing an outer cylindrical portion of the adjacent end can of the can group, each wing section presenting a strap extension of less height than the side panels and extending integrally from each of said wing sections and transversely across the cylindrical mid-section of the adjacent end can of the can group whereby upper and lower cylindrical portions of the adjacent end can are displayed to view. the paired strap extensions at both ends of the tubular carton body being adhesively bonded together in overlapped relationship across the mid-section of the end cans of the can group to thereby lock the can group in the carton body and provide a plural ply handle part at both ends of the package.

4. A can display and carrying package comprising a group of similar, flat ended, cylindrical bodied cans compactly arranged in two columnar rows which present a prismatic can group having substantially fiat top and bottom ends, longitudinal and transverse sides and rounded vertical corners, and a carton snugly enclosing the can group and formed from a one-piece wrapper blank of fibrous sheet material, said carton having a continuous tubular body formed by a continuous and unasst, ice

broken strip section having the opposite ends thereof permanently sealed together and into which the cans are loaded in erect position through the initially open ends of the tubular body, said tubular body including a pair of side panels extending along the opposite longitudinal sides of the can group and having a height substantially equal to the height of the can group, said side panels extending centrally over the longitudinal sides of the .can group and having a longitudinal length which is approximately equal to the length of the can group minus the diameter of a single can, inseparable top and bottom panels extending flatly over the fiat top and bottom ends of the can group and having the side margins thereof hinged to the longitudinal top and bottom margins of the side panels for substantially the full length thereof and maintaining the side panels snugly adjacent the longitudinal sides of the can group, each of said top and bottom panels having a portion intermediate the side margins thereof of less length than said side margins whereby a substantial portion of the top and bottom ends of the end cans are displayed to view, the end cans of the packaged can group being locked Within said tubular carton body, after end insertion of the cans therein, by a pair of wing sections at each end of the carton body which extend integrally from the adjacent end margins of the side panels and each transversely embracing an outer cylindrical portion of the adjacent end can of the can group, eachwing section presenting a strap extension of less height than the side panels and extending integrally from each of said wing sections and transversely across the cylindrical mid-section of the adjacent end can of the can group, each of said wing sec- .tions presenting upper and lower margins which taper from the longitudinal top and bottom margins of the side panels to the upper and lower margins of the strap extension integral therewith, the paired strap extensions at both ends of the tubular carton body being adhesively bonded togeher in overlapped relationship across the mid-section of the end cans' of the can group to thereby j lOCk the can group in the tubular carton body and providea plural ply handle part at both ends of the package with the upper and lower cylindrical portions of the adjacent end cans exposed to view.

5. A collapsib le can carrier-forming shell formed from a single blank of sheet material and designed for the packaging of a prismatic group of closely nested cylindrical-bodied and flat-ended cans, said shell comprising a collapsible tubular .body designed when erected to be can loaded through the open ends thereof and to embrace the top and bottomends and opposite sides of the scan group as end loaded therein, said tubular body being formed by a continuous and unbroken strip section having the opposite ends thereof permanently sealed together and into which the cans are loaded in upright position through the open ends thereof, said tuhular body presenting a pair of side panels designed to extend over the opposite longitudinal sides of the prismatic can group when packed in said shell, inseparable top and bottom panels foldably connected to said side panels and designed to extend over the fl at top and bottom ends of {t p is t c can oup when pa in sa Shell, ,said side panels having a longitudinal length approximately equal to the longitudinal length of the prismatic can group when packaged insaid shell'less the diameter o asin can s id t p and bQt Qm P l h in a vx m ngitud nal len happ x ma y qu myths -longitudinal length of the side panels to which :they are hingedly connected whereby top and bottom portions of the end cans of the prismatic can group when packaged in said shell will be exposed to view, an end closing wing section integral with and extending longitudinally from each end of both side panels but free of said top and bottom panels and presenting tapered top and bottom edges which substantially merge into the longitudinal top and bottom margins of its associated side panel, and

a strap extension integral with and extending longitudinally and medially from each of said wing sections and having a height substantially less than the height of the side panel with which it is associated, each of said wing sections and associated strap extensions being designed to extend transversely across the cylindrical body of the adjacent end can of the prismatic can group when packaged in said shell, each pair of strap extensions being designed to be adhesively bonded together in overlapped relation across the mid-section of the adjacent end can to thereby lock the can group in the tubular body and leave the upper and lower cylindrical body portions of the adjacent end cans exposed to view.

6. A collapsible can carrier-forming shell formed from a single blank of sheet material and designed for the packaging of a prismatic group of closely nested cylindrical-bodied and flat-ended cans, said shell comprising a collapsible tubular body designed when erected to be can loaded through the open ends thereof and to embrace the top and bottom ends and opposite sides of the can group as end loaded therein, said tubular body being formed by a continuous and unbroken strip section having the opposite ends thereof permanently sealed together and into which the cans are loaded in upright position through the initially open ends thereof, said tubular body presenting a pair of side panels designed to extend over the opposite longitudinal sides of the prismatic can group when packaged in said shell, inseparable top and bottom panels foldably connected to said side panels and designed to extend over the fiat top and bottom ends of the prismatic can group when packaged in said shell, said side panels having a longitudinal length approximately equal to the longitudinal length of the prismatic can group when packaged in said shell less the diameter of a single can, each of said top and bottom panels having the side edge margins thereof of substantially the same longitudinal length as the length of the side panels and the intermediate portion between the side edge margins thereof of less length than its side edge margins whereby top and bottom portions of the end cans of the prismatic can group when packaged therein will be exposed to view, an end closing wing section integral with and extending longitudinally from each end of both side panels but free of said top and bottom panels and presenting tapered top and bottom edges which substantially merge into the longitudinal top and bottom margins of its associated side panel, and a strap extension integral with and extending laterally and medially from each of said wing sections and having a height substantially less than the height of the side panel with which it is associated, each of said wing sections and associated strap extensions being designed to extend transversely across the cylindrical body of the adjacent end can of the prismatic can group when packaged in said shell, each pair of strap extensions being designed to be adhesively bonded together in overlapped relation across the rnid-section of the adjacent end can to thereby lock the can group in the tubular body and leave the upper and lower cylindrical body portions of the adjacent end cans exposed to view.

7. A collapsible can carrier-forming shell formed from a single blank of sheet material and designed for the end-loaded packaging of a prismatic group of closely nested cylindrical-bodied and fiat-ended cans, said shell comprising a collapsible tubular body designed when erected to becan loaded through theopen ends thereof and to embrace the top and bottom ends and opposite sides of the can group as end loaded therein, said tubular body being formed by a continuous and unbroken strip section having the opposite ends thereof permanently sealed together and into which the cans are loaded in upright position through the initially open ends thereof, said tubular body presenting a pair of side panels designed to extend over the opposite longitudinal sides of the prismatic can group when packaged in said shell,

anemia inseparable top and bottom panels foldably connected to said side panels and designed to extend over the flat top and bottom ends of the prismatic can group when packaged in said shell, said side panels having a longitudinal length approximately equal to the longitudinal length of the prismatic can group when packaged in said shell less the diameter of a single can, each of said top and bottom panels having the side edge margins thereof of substantially the same longitudinal length as the length of the side panels and having the intermediate portion between the side edge margins thereof of less length than its side margins whereby substantial top and bottom portions of the end cans of the prismatic can group when packaged therein will be exposed to view, an end closing wing section integral with and extending laterally from each end of both side panels but free of said top and bottom panels and presenting tapered top and bottom edges which substantially merge into the longitudinal top and bottom margins of its associated side panel, and a strap extension integral with and extending laterally and medially from each of said wing sections and having a height substantially less than the height of the side panel with which it is associated, each of said wing sections and associated strap extensions being designed to extend transversely across the cylindrical body of the adjacent end can of the prismatic can group when packaged in said shell, each pair of strap extensions being designed to be adhesively bonded together in overlapped relation across the mid-section of the adjacent end can to thereby lock the can group in the tubular body and leave the upper and lower cylindrical body portions of the adjacent end cans exposed to view, the strap extensions which extend from one of said side panels having thermoplastic adhesive applied to the outside face thereof and the strap extensions which extend from the other side panel having thermoplastic adhesive applied to the inside face thereof.

8. A one-piece can carrier-forming blank designed for the packaging of a prismatic group of closely-nested cylindrical-bodied and flat-ended cans, said blank including an elongated and unbroken strip section having terminal ends designed to be adhesively bonded together to provide a tubular body which snugly embraces the top and bottom ends and the oppposite sides of the can group and into which the erected cans are inserted through the open ends thereof, said elongated strip section comprising a pair of side panels and a pair of top and bottom panels alternately arranged in side-by-side relationship and foldably connected by longitudinally extending parallel scores of substantially equal length, a glue flap foldably connected to one of said panels by a longitudinally extending score parallel to and of substantially the same length as said first-named scores, said side panels being substantially rectangular in outline and having a longitudinal length approximately equal to the longitudinal length of the prismatic can group when packaged in said blank less the diameter of a single can, each of said top and bottom end panels having the side edge margins thereof of substantially the same longitudinal length as the length of the side panels, an end closing wing section integrally hinged,

and extending laterally from each end of both of said side panels and presenting tapered top and bottom edges which substantially merge into the side edge margins of its associated side panel, and a strap extension integral with and extending laterally and medially from each of said wing sections and having a width substantially less than the width of the side panel with which it is associated, the paired wing sections and associated strap extensions extending from each side panel beingdesigned to embrace a mid-sectional body portion of the end can when packaged in the tubular body forming strip section of the blank and when the paired strap extensions are adhesively bonded in overlapped relationship, each of said wing sections and associated strap extensions of the blank being designed to interfit between the wing sections and associated strap extensions of adjacent alternately arranged similar blanks when the free end edge margins of said blanks are substantially in longitudinal alignment to thereby permit interfitted cutting of said blanks with minimum stock sheet waste.

9. A one-piece can carrier-forming blank designed for the packaging of a prismatic group of closely-nested cylindrical-bodied and flat-ended cans, said blank including an elongated and unbroken strip section having terminal ends designed to be adhesively bonded together to pro-' vide a tubular body which snugly embraces the top and bottom ends and the opposite sides of the can group and into which the erected cans are inserted through the open ends thereof, said elongated strip section comprising a pair of similar side panels and a pair of similar top and bottom end panels alternately arranged in side-by-side relationship and foldably connected by longitudinally extending parallel scores of substantially equal length, a glue flap foldably connected to one of said panels by a longitudinally extending score parallel to and of substantially the same length as said first-named scores, said side panels being substantially rectangular in outline and having a longitudinal length approximately equal to the longitudinal length of the prismatic can group when packaged in said blank less the diameter of a single can, each of said top and bottom end panels having the side edge margins thereof of substantially the same longitudinal length as the length of the side panels, an end closing wing section integrally hinged and extending laterally from each end of both of said side panels and presenting tapered top and bottom edges which substantially merge into the side edge margins of its associated side panel, and a strap extension integral with and extending laterally and medially from each of said wing sections and having a width substantially less than the width of the side panel with which it is associated, the paired wing sections and associated strap extensions extending from each side panel being designed to embrace a mid-sectional body portion of the end can when packaged in the tubular body forming strip section of the blank and when the paired strap extensions are adhesively bonded in overlapped relationship, each of said wing sections and associated strap extensions of the blank being designed to interfit between the wing sections and associated strap extensions of adjacent alternately arranged similar blanks when the free end edge margins of said blanks are substantially in longitudinal alignment to thereby permit inter-fitted cutting of said blanks with minimum stock sheet waste. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,106,276 Heineman Jan. 25, 1938 2,290,969 King July 28, 1942 2,359,297 Brogden Oct. 3, 1944 2,554,190 Hennessey May 22, 1951 2,571,833 Chidsey Oct. 16, 1951 2,603,923 Chidsey July 22, 1952 2,678,770 Bonini May 18, 1954 2,738,871 Vander Lugt Mar. 20, 1956 

